Sailors assigned to the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) received training on eating healthy as part of the command's Fitness Enhancement Program (FEP).

The program's goal is to improve the fitness and nutrition of Sailors to meet Physical Fitness Assessment (PFA) standards.

Charged with providing Sailors the tools necessary to maintain a healthy lifestyle, Chief Aviation Boatswain's Mate Erik C. Scott, Lincoln's FEP coordinator, hopes Sailors walk away from the class with a few healthy tips that they can integrate into their daily routine.

"Sailors need to start taking the responsibility and change the way they think about food," Scott said. "This can be a challenge for some people who have never really had to think about what they put into their body."

The purpose of FEP is to build operational performance by teaching Sailors the tools for improving their physical fitness and overall nutrition. The class also provides building blocks to establishing effective eating habits and exercise routines to achieve lasting results.

Topics included the proper ratios of fats, carbohydrates and proteins, and creating a weekly meal plan.

Personnel Specialist 3rd Class Ashley J. Cosey, an attendee, discussed work schedules and adopting healthy eating habits.

"I never had to think about what I was putting into my body because I was always active and burned off the calories," said Cosey. "During my recovery of a leg injury, I was taking in too many calories and this led me to not meet the standards. This class would be very informative to anyone."

Scott encourages Sailors to make changes in their overall lifestyles rather than starting a workout schedule or new diet trend.

"Though nutrition has everything to do with the way we eat and how we fuel our bodies, if we do not change our mental state and decide to lead a healthy lifestyle, then nutrition will never be a priority," Scott said. "It starts with you."

Lincoln is the fifth ship of the Nimitz-class to undergo a Refueling and Complex Overhaul (RCOH), a major life-cycle milestone. Once RCOH is complete, Abraham Lincoln will be one of the most modern and technologically advanced Nimitz-class aircraft carriers in the fleet and will continue to be a vital part of the nation's defense.


For more news from USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), visit www.navy.mil/.